Otorhinolaryngology

The Otorhinolaryngology, or ENT, service offers clinical and instrumental diagnostic support for all pathological conditions affecting the nose, throat, larynx, pharynx, ear and neck.

Treatment of such disorders is managed by healthcare personnel through prescription drugs, rehabilitation or admission for medical therapy and surgery, depending on the individual case (for information on surgical procedures, see section on admissions).

Treatments are aimed at patients with common ear, nose and throat disorders such as otitis, sore throat, inflammatory conditions, earwax plugs, etc.
Investigations vary according to the examination and the medical history collected.

Audiovestibology

Treats hearing and balance disorders. In addition to the specialist examination and anamnesis, the outpatient clinic also performs:

Pure tone audiometry and vocal examinations
Impedance testing (tympanogram and cochleostapedial reflex)
ABR or evoked auditory brain stem response studies
Vestibular examination with recording of nystagmus and heat stimulation

If a diagnosis of peripheral vestibular pathology is found, patients are offered a rehabilitation programme that includes a series of vestibular exercises and manoeuvres to eliminate any vertigo.

Laryngology

Treats vocal disorders. In addition to the specialist examination and anamnesis, the outpatient clinic also performs:

Fibre-optic laryngoscopic examination
Strobolaryngoscopy (flashing light to display fractional movements of the vocal cords)
NBI laryngoscopy

These investigations enable a functional and morphological diagnosis of voice-related problems. The outpatient clinic provides a rehabilitation programme with speech therapy for patients who need it. If there is benign or malignant laryngeal pathology, admission for surgery may be recommended.

Head and neck oncology

For patients with benign or malignant tumours of the cervicofacial region (ear, nose and sinuses, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, salivary glands and thyroid) experiencing symptoms which may include vocal and/or swallowing disorders, oral-pharyngeal-laryngeal bleeding and swelling of the neck.

In addition to the specialist examination and anamnesis, the outpatient clinic also performs:

complete endoscopic study of the oral cavity, nose, pharynx and larynx using NBI
needle aspiration of neck and salivary gland swelling
biopsy of suspicious oral cavity, nasal and pharyngeal lesions

Treatment involves admission for surgery after an X-ray study using the methods indicated for each individual case (see admission section).

Rhinology

For patients with breathing disorders, including snoring and sleep apnoea, and inflammatory diseases of the nose and sinuses.

In addition to the specialist examination and anamnesis, the outpatient clinic also performs: